The best places to gather information were taverns. People loved to gossip over a pint of beer, and often, they ended up revealing more than they intended. Bartenders, always in the loop about the latest rumors, were invaluable sources of information. Victoria knew this and decided to start her search there.
She visited several taverns, each time offering a sum of money in exchange for information. Most bartenders accepted the coins eagerly, but the information they provided was disappointingly vague. It was as if no one knew the recent whereabouts of the slave traders—the very ones who had captured William.
Despite the lack of progress, William remained calm. He still had several days before Jonas left the mansion to meet Father Malakai. There was time, but not much of it.
"Now what?" Victoria asked mentally, frustration creeping into her voice. "None of the taverns have any useful information. I'm starting to think this is a waste of time and money."
